Closure latch

ABSTRACT

A closure latch includes a support frame on which is pivotally mounted an inverted fork bolt and a detent for maintaining the bolt in either of two latched positions. A generally Z-shaped operating lever is pivoted to a side flange of the frame at a juncture of the former. The other juncture of the operating lever is pivoted to one end of an elongated intermittent member for longitudinal translation thereof. The terminal legs of the operating lever are respectively engageable by an inside release lever and an outside release lever, the directions of engagement being opposite such that the release levers are alternately engageable with their respective legs. A lateral pin on the frame received within a slot on the intermittent member guides translatory movement of the intermittent member by the operating lever and independent swinging movement of the intermittent member relative to the operating lever between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent. A tab on the intermittent member is received within a slot of a locking lever which is supported on a cantilevered arm of the frame and movable between locked and unlocked positions. The locking lever in unlocked position locates the intermittent member in coupled position with respect to the detent, and in locked position locates the intermittent member in uncoupled position with respect to the detent.

United States Patent Campbell et al.

[54] CLOSURE LATCH [72] Inventors: Edward E. Campbell, Sterling Heights; Bela Sandor, Detroit, both of Mich.

[731 Assignees General Motors Corporation,

' Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 89,686

[52] U.S. Cl ..292/216 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 3/26 [58] Field of Search.292/216, 280, DIG. 26, DIG. 27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,716,568 8/1955 Davies ..292/229 2,700,565 1/1955 Smith ..292/221 2,955,864 10/1960 Van Voorhees ..292/280 3,171,677 3/1965 Klover, Jr. et al. ..292/216 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney-W. E. Finken and Herbert Furman [5 7] ABSTRACT A closure latch includes a support frame on which is [451 Nov. 21, 1972 pivotally mounted an inverted fork bolt and a detent for maintaining the bolt in either of two latched positions. A generally Z-shaped operating lever is pivoted to a side flange of the frame at a juncture of the former. The other juncture of the operating lever is pivoted to one end of an elongated intermittent member for longitudinal translation thereof. The terminal legs of the operating lever are respectively engageable by an inside release lever and an outside release lever, the directions of engagement being opposite such that the release levers are alternately engageable with their respective legs. A lateral pin on the frame received within a slot. on the intermittent member guides translatory movement of the intermittent member by the operating lever and independent swinging movement of the intermittent member relative to the operating lever between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent. A tab on the intermittent member is received within a slot of a locking lever which is supported on a cantilevered arm of the frame and movable between locked and unlocked positions. The locking lever in unlocked position locates the intermittent member in coupled position with respect to the detent, and in locked position locates the intermittent member in uncoupled position with respect to the detent.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED m1 .972

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Bela kizndor Mf/M AT I'ORNEY CLOSURE LATCH This invention relates to closure latches and more particularly to vehicle body door locks of the type including an intermittent member for selectively coupling and uncoupling the detent and the inside and outside release means.

One feature of the door lock of this invention is that it includes an operating lever pivotally connected to one end of an elongated intermittent member for longitudinal translation or pivotal movement in the same plane, with the member being guided and located by a common means regardless of its mode of movement. Another feature of this invention is that the operating lever is of generally Z shape, with the lever being pivoted to the frame at one juncture, being pivoted to the intermittent member at another juncture, and with the terminal legs thereof being respectively engageable by inside and outside release means. A further feature of this invention is that the terminal legs of the operating lever are engageable alternately only by the inside and outside release means.

These and other features of the door lock of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevation view of a vehicle body embodying a door lock according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a broken away side elevational view of the lock;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away perspective view of the lock; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the door lock.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a vehicle body designated generally includes a front door 12 and a rear door 14 hinged adjacent its forward edge 16 to the body 10 for movement between a closed position as shown and an open position, not shown. Door 14 is held in closed position by a door lock 18 according to this invention. The lock is mounted on the rear lock pillar wall of the door 14 and cooperates with a conventional headed striker pin mounted on the opposing lock pillar wall of the body to maintain the door in closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the lock 18 includes a main frame 20 provided with a number of tapped embossments 22 for conventionally mounting the lock internally of the door 14 on the rear wall thereof. The frame 20 includes a generally V- shaped cutout 24, and the rear wall of the door 14 includes a like cutout to thereby permit entry and exit of the striker pin into and out of the frame 20. An auxiliary generally elongated L-shaped frame 26 overlies the cutout 24 and mounts a conventional spring biased sliding shoe 28 for engagement with the head of the striker pin when the pin enters the frame 20. The opposite wall 30 of the frame 26 provides a guide ramp which engages the head of the striker pin generally diametrically opposite to the shoe 28 to thereby accurately locate the door 14 with respect to the body when the striker pin is latched to the frame. The auxiliary frame 26 includes a number of offset tabs 32, 34, and 36, the former two of which are staked to the frame 20 to mount the frame 26 thereon.

An inverted fork bolt 38 is pivoted at 40 to the frame 20 for movement between a latched position as shown and an unlatched position clockwise thereof. When the bolt is in unlatched position, the outboard leg 42 thereof engages an edge 44 of an opening 46 in a side flange of the frame 20 to locate the bolt in this position. Opening 46 forms a continuation of cutout 24. A coil tension spring 48 is hooked between a notched tab 50 of the bolt and a notched tab 52 of the frame 18 to continually bias the bolt to unlatched position.

A detent lever 54 is pivoted at 56 to the frame 20. A

coil torsionspring 58 surrounds the pivot 56 and has one leg extending through an aperture 60 in the detent and the other leg engaging a notched upper flange 62 of the frame 20 to continually bias the detent counterclockwise toward detented position. A generally square-shaped opening 64 in the detent receives a rubber bumper 66 conventionally mounted to a notched lateral tab of frame 20 to resiliently limit movement of the detent 54 in either direction about the pivot 56. The detent includes a foot 68 which is engageable with either shoulder 70 or shoulder 72 of the inner leg of the bolt 38 to thereby maintain the bolt respectively in either fully latched or intermediate latched position.

A lateral side flange 74 of the frame 20 includes upper and lower lateral ears 76 which are coaxially apertured and receive a headed pin 78. The upper and lower coaxially apertured flanges 80 of an operating lever 82 are slidably received on the pin 78 to mount the lever 82 thereon. The upper flange 80 of the lever includes a leg 84 which is received within a closed slot 86 of the flange 74 to limit pivotal movement of the lever 82 about the pin 78 and to also axially locate the lever with respect to the pin.

As best shown in FIG. 2, one juncture of a generally Z-shaped operating or transfer lever 88 is pivoted at 90 to the flange 74 for swinging movement of the lever in a plane generally transverse of the plane of movement of the detent 54. The upper terminal leg 92 of the lever 88 traverses the extension 84 of the lever 82 for engagement thereby upon movement of the lever 82 about the pin 78. The lower terminal leg 94 of the lever 88 includes a return bent end 96 which is adapted to be engaged by one leg of an inside remote lever 98 pivoted at 100 on a lower angled flange 102 of the frame 20. A coil torsion spring 104 surrounds the pivot 100 and is hooked between the leg 94 and a bent tab of flange 102 to continually bias the lever 98 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, about the pin 100. Additionally, the spring 104 biases the lever 88 counterclockwise about pivot 90, as viewed in FIG. 2, to in turn engage leg 92 with extension 84 and hold the extension 84 in engagement with one end of slot 86 to thereby locate the lever 82 in its normal position with respect to the pin 78.

The lever 98 is conventionally connected by a shifta ble rod 106, FIG. 1, with an inside remote handle 108. Likewise the push rod of a conventional push button type outside door handle 110, FIG. 1, is intended to engage an upstanding flange 112 of the lever 82 to rotate the lever about the pin 78.

An elongated intermittent member 114 is pivoted at 116 to the other juncture of the lever 88. A shouldered pin 118 secures the tab 36 to frame 20 and extends laterally of the frame. Pin 118 is received within an elongated slot 120 of the intermittent member. The cooperative engagement of the pin and the slot guides longitudinal translatory movement of the intermittent member upon swinging movement of the lever 88 and also guides independent pivotal movement of the intermittent member relative to the lever 88 between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent, as will be described. The upper offset end 122 of the intermittent member, when the member is inconpled position as shown, underlies a lateral tab 124 of the detent 54. When the intermittent member is in uncoupled position, as will be further described, end 122 is located out of underlying relationship to tab 124, or to the right thereof as viewed in FIG. 2.

An offset cantilever extension 126 of the frame 26 pivotally supports at 128 a locking lever 130. A tab 132 of the extension is received within a slot 134 of the locking lever to limit movement of the locking lever in either direction about the pivot 128. The locking lever is selectively biased in opposite directions by a conventional overcenter type coil torsion spring 136 hooked between the extension 126 and the locking lever. An apertured leg 138 of the locking lever is conventionally connected by a rod 140, FIG. 1, to a conventional inside garnish button 142 to thereby provide for movement of the locking lever between locked and unlocked positions with respect to the extension.

The locking lever includes a depending extension 144, FIG. 2, having an elongated slot 146 which receives a lateral tab 148 of the intermittent member 114. When the locking lever is in its unlocked position as shown in FIG. 3, the upper end 122 of the intermittent member underlies the tab 124 of the detent 54 so that the levers 82 and 98 are coupled to the detent. It is believed apparent that operation of either will release the detent by movement of the lever 88 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2, and subsequent upward translatory movement of the intermittent member 114, with this movement being guided by both the cooperative action of the pin 1 18 and slot 120 and the cooperative action of the tab 148 and the slot 146. 'Should the locking lever be swung counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, about the pivot 128, spring 136 will move overcenter and'the tab 132 will engage the opposite end of the slot 134 to locate the locking lever in its locked position. As the locking lever moves to this position, the cooperative engagement of the tab 148 and slot 146 moves the intermittent member 114 clockwise about the pivot 116, as viewed in FIG. 2, so that the tab 122 no longer underlies the tab 124. The intermittent member is now in its uncoupled position wherein movement of either lever 82 or 98 will have no elfect on the detent 54.

When the bolt is in unlatched position and the door 14 is subsequently closed, the engagement of the bolt with the striker pin will move the bolt to latched position as the inner leg of the bolt ratchets past the detent foot 68.

Thus, this invention provides an improved closure latch.

We claim:

1. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, inside and outside release means engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position 1 by the lever.

2. A closure latch comprising in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermittent arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, means commonly limiting both modes of movement of the intermittent member to the same plane, inside and outside release means alternately engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever. I

3. A, closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, inside and outside release means, each including a portion movable oppositely of the other into engagement with a respective terminal arm of the lever to alternately move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever.

4. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latchmeans mounted on the .frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped leveflr including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an elongated intermittent member movably connected adjacent one end thereof to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for longitudinal translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, means commonly limiting both modes of move ment of the intermittent member to a plane transverse of the plane of movement of the detent means, inside and outside release means engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever.

5. A closure latch comprising in combination, a support frame including a lateral support flange, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, an operating lever swingably mounted on the frame flange for movement in a plane transverse of the plane of movement of the detent means, an elongated intermittent member pivoted adjacent one end thereof to the operating lever for longitudinal translation thereby in a plane of movement transverse of the detent plane of movement and movement independently thereof in the same plane between a coupled position with respect to the detent means wherein the intermittent member upon translation thereof is engageable with the detent means to move the detent means to released position and an uncoupled position with respect to the detent means wherein the intermittent member upon translation thereof bypasses the detent means, cooperating pin and slot means on the frame and intermittent member commonly movement of the intermittent member in the plane of movement thereof, a locking lever swingably supported on the frame for movement 27 3 mime STATES PATENT owns CER'HNEATE 9F 'QGRREUNGN Patent 31,703,308 Dated Nova-inner 21, 1972 lnvenwn's) Edward E. Campbell and Bela Sandor It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

6011mm 4, line 27, intermittent should read intermediate Qolunn 6, line 2Q, after "commonly" insert guiding both modes of Signed and sealed this 29th day 0f May 1973,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETC HER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, aN intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, inside and outside release means engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever.
 1. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, aN intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, inside and outside release means engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever.
 2. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermittent arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, means commonly limiting both modes of movement of the intermittent member to the same plane, inside and outside release means alternately engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever.
 3. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an intermittent member movably connected to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, inside and outside release means, each including a portion movable oppositely of the other into engagement with a respective terminal arm of the lever to alternately move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever.
 4. A closure latch comprising, in combination, a support frame, latch means mounted on the frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, detent means mounted on the frame for movement between holding and released positions with respect to the latch means, a generally Z-shaped lever including a pair of terminal arms connected by junctures with an intermediate arm, means movably mounting the lever adjacent one juncture thereof on the frame, an elongated intermittent member movably connected adjacent one end thereof to the lever adjacent the other juncture thereof for longitudinal translation thereby and movement independently thereof between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent means, means commonly limiting both modes of movement of the intermittent member to a plane transverse of the plane of movement of the Detent means, inside and outside release means engageable with respective terminal arms of the lever to move the lever relative to the frame and translate the intermittent member in coupled position into engagement with the detent means to move the detent means to released position, and means for moving the intermittent member relative to the lever to uncoupled position, the intermittent member bypassing the detent means upon translation thereof in uncoupled position by the lever. 